Local Food in Japan is based on fresh, local ingredients, with minimal processing, highlighting instead the natural flavors of the food. Fish, rice, noodles, and vegetables are some staples that make up the basis of most Japanese diets. Some popular traditional dishes include sushi, ramen, tempura, soba, tonkatsu and okonomiyaki.
Japanese cuisine emphasizes variety and balance. This is achieved through the use of five colors (black, white, red, yellow, and green), five cooking techniques (raw food, grilling, steaming, boiling, and frying), and five flavors (sweet, spicy, salty, sour, and bitter). These principles can be found even in a single meal of one soup and three sides paired with rice.
Sushi is one of the most famous foods to come from Japan. It originated from the process of preserving fish in fermented rice. Today it’s made with vinegared rice and fresh fish. Tempura is a dish of battered and fried fish or vegetables. Special care is given to the way the ingredients are cut as well as to the temperature of the batter (ice cold) and oil (very hot) for deep-frying.
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Napolitan (ナポリタン)
Try this quick and easy Japanese Ketchup Spaghetti, known as Napolitan. Home cooks all across Japan prepare this simple recipe that elevates pantry staples with fresh ingredients like sausages, mushrooms, onion, and bell pepper. It’s a s... -
Dorayaki (どらやき)
If you're a fan of traditional Japanese cuisine or simply have a sweet tooth, you won't want to miss out on reading about Dorayaki! This delectable treat is a beloved dessert generation in Japan loved. With its soft and fluffy pancake-li... -
Kanikama (カニカマ)
Experience the excitement of Japan's favorite ingredient with Kanikama! Imitation crab meat, also known as crab sticks, has been a staple at sushi restaurants and supermarkets for how many years. If you're curious about this Japanese cla... -
Tsukune (つくね)
With its fluffy texture, "tsukune" is a popular dish on the menu of yakitori restaurants. Tsukune is well-liked by both children and adults, yet shockingly few know what it is. Yakitori restaurants will often thread them onto a bamboo sk... -
Yakiimo (焼き芋)
The simple roasted sweet potato, or yaki-imo, doesn't get as much attention in a country more known for its sushi, sashimi, and noodle meals. But this hearty vegetable, another historical import to the island country, has long been a che... -
Tsukemen (つけ麵)
Ramen is definitely one of the most popular dishes all over the world. It is so familiar to Japanese people that it not only appears in daily life but also in Japanese animation (anime) or drama. However, today we would like to introduce... -
Shirataki (しらたき)
Shirataki refers to noodles made of konjac yams. Although this noodle is popular outside of Japanese cuisine due to its zero calories, no carbs, and high fiber content, the Japanese utilized it in many hot pot meals there. It is a great ... -
Aburaage (油揚げ)
Fried tofu is a common English translation of the Japanese word "Aburaage" in Japan. To be precise, it's thin deep-fried tofu, and people use this name to set it apart from the related processed tofu item known as "atsu-age." It is a typ... -
Shoyu ramen (醤油ラーメン)
Japanese ramen has a lot of depth and is difficult to explain simply. The most important thing in ramen is the noodles. Ramen tends to focus on the soup and its classification of taste such as Shoyu ramen or soy sauce ramen that we will ... -
Tonkotsu ramen (豚骨ラーメン)
Ramen, popular with children and adults alike, comes in various flavors, with tonkotsu being one of the most popular flavors. However, some people have eaten tonkotsu ramen but do not know what is different compared to other seasonings. ...